Posts Tagged ‘golf’

When the Tiger Woods story first hit, it was described as a car accident. I was very interested. Not because I’m a golf fan; I’m not. I’ve been a casual Tiger Woods fan since he burst on the scene, because he was a good winner. He excels at his craft and is a fierce competitor, but he’s not a sore winner. The way he goes about his business is impressive. (Edgardo Alfonso, former second and third baseman for the New York Mets, exhibited the same characteristics and I’ve been a fan since 1997.)
When more details leaked out and I started hearing snippets of a domestic situation, I refused to listen, read, or watch any coverage of the story. First, the whole incident is a private affair and is none of our business. Second, I’ve personally been involved in a public news story in which the media got many of the facts incorrect. I don’t trust many of the details the news establishment reports. Third, shortly before and after I separated from my wife, someone went around spreading a lot of slanderous lies about me. (I think they were hoping they could “scare” me into staying religious and not deciding that divorce is the only option in my situation. Regardless of their intentions, they were complete fabrications.) Just because someone comes forward with all kinds fanciful claims about a famous person, does not mean it’s true or that I should pay them mind.
When I picked up the paper this morning, I saw the first eight pages are devoted to a press conference that Tiger Woods hosted on Friday. I figured if Tiger is talking about it, he must not feel it’s solely a private affair. As such, I felt like he wanted me to read about the situation.

One thing I’m struck by when reading coverage of the story and editorials on the subject is the sense that Tiger was obligated to give a public apology. I don’t understand. Why am I entitled to an apology? Why do I even need an apology? Tiger hasn’t hurt me and I don’t really care about his actions. Who does he “need” to apologize to? His wife. Any woman he might have led on about his intentions with them. His sponsors. A second-hand apology to his in-laws and his family. That’s it. All of those apologies should take place quietly, one on one. The outrage expressed by fans, columnists, and women’s rights organizations is uncalled for, unnecessary, and infantile.